Berlin, November 12, 1998-An historic digital compact disc symbolizing the rebirth of Progressive Judaism was released today in Berlin during the 1998 Berlin Jüdische Kulturtage, or Jewish Cultural Festival.
The live recording, "Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue," features New York mezzo-soprano, Cantor Rebecca Garfein in a 1997 Berlin Jewish Cultural Festival concert, documenting the first female cantor to sing in Germany as a soloist. Breaking a new barrier for women with the concert, Cantor Garfein is accompanied by organist, Arnold Ostlund, Jr., Yonkers, New York and Berlin's nine-voice Pestalozzistrasse Synagogue Choir. Cantor Garfein is the musical leader of the Riverdale Temple in Riverdale, NY. Revival of Progressive Judaism
"Cantor Garfein's concert recording represents a revival of Progressive Judaism in Berlin, essentially at a standstill for over 70 years" according to Dr. Andreas Nachama, president of the Jewish Community of Berlin and artistic director of the Jüdische Kulturtage, the Jewish Cultural Festival. "With her performance in Berlin, Progressive
Judaism is evolving to a new level where women are becoming actively involved in Jewish religious services."
Highlighting music from renown composers, including Kurt Weill, Max Janowski and Maurice Ravel, the recording features the tradition of American Reform synagogues. Featuring 16 compositions, the November 12, 1997, concert was held in the auditorium of the Centrum Judaicum, housed in the former Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue. The auditorium was once the women's gallery of the former synagogue.
The cantorial music featured on the CD is operatic in character, featuring some of the most popular prayers sung in modern synagogues in the United States. Highlighted on the CD is Ravel's memorial Kaddisch, and Kurt Weill's Sabbath Kiddush. Also featured on the CD is Max Janowski's Avinu Malkeynu, a well know prayer sung as part of the High Holy Day liturgy. In the CD liner notes, the Cantor dedicates the Kaddisch and Avinu Malkeynu to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, some of whom were relatives of Cantor Garfein.
Documents Jewish Life and Music
According to Nachama, the CD "captures all the excitement and nuances of the live concert attended by Jews and gentiles, while documenting a new era for Jewish life and music in postwar Berlin." He added, "for many, the concert and prayers on the CD take on special meaning in a land, where 50 years ago, no one would ever have imagined that there could be any form of permanent Jewish life again."
Cantor Garfein, a native of Tallahassee, FL, graduated cum laude from Rice University in Houston with a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera. She is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York and received the degree of Master of Sacred Music and Cantorial Investiture. In 1993, Cantor Garfein was engaged full-time by the Riverdale Temple in Riverdale, NY, and has the distinction of being the first Cantor of the Congregation.
Cantor Garfein has appeared in numerous recitals throughout the United States, Israel and Europe.
She made her New York City debut with the New York Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra at Cami Hall. She has been a participant in the opera program at DiCapo Opera in New York City and at the Aspen Music Festival. Cantor Garfein was a participant in the Young Artists' vocal program at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts.
Suggested retail price for "Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue" is $18.00, plus shipping and handling.
For more information regarding "Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue," write:
Bari Productions
Pestalozzistrasse Synagogue Choir:
Avitall Gerstetter, Silke Hartmann, Gunnas Hermann, Harry Oschitzki, Peter
Werschenskij Plesner, Brigette Schulze, Anita Spielberg, Frauke Tworke, Benjamin
Wolff
Direction: Gloria Seipelt